. Qr (A- 



OB 62 

.G64 OUTLINE 

C °PV l of 

EIGHT LECTURES- 



AND OF AN 

INTRODUCTORY LEC , R 

Which will be delivered 

tJV THE ASSEMBLY HALL, 

NEAR THE PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, 
WASHINGTON. 



BY MR, GOODACRE, 

FROiM ENGLAND. 






WASHINGTON CITY. 

"TED BY DAVIS AND FORCE, (fRANKUN's HEAD, ) 
PENNSYLVANIA AVENDE. 

1824. 



INTRODUCTORY LECTURE, 

Saturday, January 24, 1824. *J? ^ f 

OUTLINE OF THE LECTURE. 

1. Rise and progress of Astronomical Knowledge, from the earliest 
records to the present time. 

Exhibitions of Specimens of the Auxiliary Diagrams. 

2. Importance of Astronomical Knowledge — Indispensable to Naviga- 
tion — Necessary to a clear understanding and a lively perception of the 
beauties of the Poets — Calculated to unfold to the inquiring mind, proofs 
of the Wisdom, Goodness, Power, and Glory of the Creator. 

Exhibition of some 'principal Instrument. 



The whole course, eight transferrable Tickets, five dollars ; each 
Lecture, one dollar. Young Ladies and Gentlemen under twelve years 
of age, the whole course, three dollars ; each Lecture fifty cents. 

Doors open at half past Six o'Clock ; the Lectures begin at Seven, 
and end at Nine. 

Should Subscribers to the Course be prevented from regularly at- 
tending, Tickets to the amount of two, but no more, will be exchanged 
for admissions to the last Lecture. 



Tickets are on sale at the Bookstore of Messrs. Davis & Force, by 
Mr. Guegan, by Mr. Pishey Thompson, and by the Lecturer, at the 
House adjoining the latter Gentleman's, where Mr. Goodacre will be 
happy to see his friends any day between the hours of ten and twelve 
'o'clock. 

Washington, January 21, 1824 



ASTRONOMICAL LECTURES. 



INSTRUMENTS 

BY WHICH THE LECTURES ARE EXEMPLIFIED. 



1. A TRANSPARENT TERRESTRIAL GLOBE, containing 
upwards of fifty square feet of surface, including all the recent disco- 
veries. 

2. A HORIZONTAL TELLURIAN, LUNARIAN, and ECLIP- 
SAREON, the Earth's Orbit performing a course of forty feet, with an 
elegant Zodiac, fifty-four feet in circumference. 

3. A VERTICAL TRANSPARENT TELLURIAN, with de- 
signs of the Four Seasons, and a double Zodiac, its circumference 
thirty -feet. 

4. A TRANSPARENT CLIMATE INSTRUMENT, embracing 
four Zones of the Celestial Sphere, forty -five feet in circumference. 

5. A splendid TRANSPARENT ORRERY, containing the Sua, 
* ith all the Planets and Satellites, fifty -feet in circumference. 

6 and 7. Two elegant TRANSPARENT PLANISPHERES of 
the visible Starry Heavens, forty-five feet in circumference, (one with 
the figures of the Constellations, the other without) they can be recti- 
fied to time, and to any place in the Atlantic States of the Union. 

8. Plan of a UNIVERSAL SYSTEM; or SYSTEM of SOLAR 
SYSTEMS, thirty feet in circumference. 

With smaller INSTRUMENTS and Mathematical auxiliary DIA- 
GRAMS, amounting in number to nearly forty. 

The whole of this APPARATUS has been constructed at great expense, either 
by the Lecturer, or under his immediate inspection, and it is esteemed by compe- 
tent judges better calculated to elucidate this sublime science than any yet exb> 
bited to the Public. 

LECTURE I. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Astronomical Knowledge emi- 
nently calculated to give man a proper conception of the powers of 
his own mind. 

Outline of the Lecture. Tlie Solar System. — All 
Orreries defective in four important particulars — These 
defects supplied by auxiliary Diagrams and Instru- 



2 A COURSE OF 

ments Sun in the Centre — His Figure — Appa- 
rent Diameter in Apogee — In Perigee — Real Diameter 

— Surface — Bulk Spots Revolves on his Axis — 

Length of his Sidereal Revolution — Of his Terrestrial — 
General Remarks and conjectures respecting the mat- 
ter of which the Sun is composed Mercury — His 

mean apparent Diameter — Greatest apparent Diame- 
ter — Real Diameter — Surface — Solidity — Proportion of 
his Bulk to that of the Earth — Eccentricity of his Or- 
bit — Distance from the Sun — Proportion of Light com- 
pared with the Earth — Hourly motion— Time of his Re- 
volution — Rotation on his Axis — Number of rotations 
during his complete passage through his Orbit — Incli- 
nation of his Axis to his Orbit — Place of his ascending 
Node — Inclination of his Orbit to the Ecliptic — Place 
of his Perihelion — General Remarks and Conjectures. . . . 
Venus — Diameter, Distance, Orbit, &c. See Mercury 

— General Remarks and Conjectures The Earth, 

nearly the same particulars as Mercury — (More minute 

information in many parts of the Course) Mars, 

Elements as before — General Remarks — Curious Spots 
near the Poles of Mars ...... The new Planets, Vesta, 

Juno, Pallas, Ceres; Elements (as far as known) as 
before — General Remarks — Pallas and Ceres singularly 
circumstanced in respect to each other — Good situa- 
tions for Astronomical views of the Solar System 

Jupiter, Elements as before — General Remarks — His 

Seasons — Shape — Belts — Attendant Moons Varied 

views of Saturn from Jupiter: — Excellent situation for 

observing transits Saturn, Elements as before — 

General Remarks — Attendant Moons and Ring 

Uranus, the Georgium Sidus, or Herschel, Elements 
(far as known) as before — General Remarks — Atten- 
dant Moons ...... Conjectures on the extent of the So- 



LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY. -> 

lar System General and combined movements of 

all the Planets .... Their present situation in space .... 
Reflections. 

Instruments tised in this Lecture : The Planes of the Planets* 
Orbits ; The Grand Transparent Orrery. — Diagrams : Magni- 
tudes of the Planets ; their distances; their eccentricities ; Figure 
to exemplify elliptical motion ; Size of the Sun as seen from the dif- 
ferent Planets ,- Telescopic appearances of the Planets. 



LECTURE II. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. The Study of Astronomy cal- 
culated in an eminent degree to confirm the belief of Man in Divine 
Revelation. 

Outline of the Lecture. Figure of the Earth — 
Objections to its Rotundity examined — Proofs of its 

Rotundity General laws of Matter and Motion ..... 

Discoveries of the Earth's Spheroidal Shape — Cause of 

this conformation Explanation of terms on the 

Globe* Rotation of the Earth on its Axis Very- 
general outline of Time (to be filled up in future Lec- 
tures) Origin of the Zodiac on the supposition 

that the Constellation in which the Sun appears is a fit 

emblem of some event in the year Remarks on 

this Hypothesis The Earth, in its annual orbit, 

moves round the Sun — Decisive proof in the different 
position of the same Stars of the Zodiac at midnight 
during different periods of the year — Cheap and useful 

* The critical reader is requested to observe, that, in the arrangement of these 
Lectures, three circumstances concur to prevent articles being placed exactly in 
their proper order. First, While some parts of a subject ought to be discussed pre- 
vious to the introduction of another, still the demonstration of the whole article 
requires the use of an Instrument which eannot be set up while others necessary- 
are present. Secondly, As several parts of the Lectures must be delivered in a state 
of darkness, it is necessary to introduce such parts at times least inconvenient 
to the Audience. Thirdly, It is desirable that some subject should be ready for 
the Lecturer to explain to his Auditors, during the time necessarily employed in 
the removal of one Instrument and the setting up of another. 



4 A COURSE OF 

devices for making these observations Directions 

for finding the South point of the Horizon — The line of 

the Zodiac — The Zenith— Mid Heaven Cheap and 

useful Instruments for these purposes* — Reflections. 

Instruments used : the Large Globe ; the Vertical Tellurian f 
Instrument for showing the centre of Gravity, Diagrams : Figures 
for showing the Rotundity of the Earth ; Earth's shadow on tht 
Moon ; Laws ofJ\£atter and JMotion. 

LECTURE III. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Astronomical knowledge, tile 
surest basis of Geographical admeasurements. Exemplified by a dia- 
gram. 

Outline of the Lecture. Earth enlightened by 

the Sun Day and Night occasioned by its turning 

on its own Axis — Appearances opposed to this Theory 
— Collateral proof that the Earth turns on its Axis, 
derived from the corresponding Phases of the Moon and 
the inferior Planets ...... Division of the Globe into 

Zones Position of the Earth on its Axis— Spring, 

Summer, Autumn, and Winter, caused by its obliquity 
—Proofs of its obliquity — Directions for making these 

observations How to transfer observations made 

on the Globe or Tellurian to appearances in the Hea- 
vens ...... The Globe of the Earth in Climates — Length 

of Days in each — Cause of their variety — Polar Days — 
Theory of Polar Sunshine and Polar Moonlight — Cause 

of greater Heat in Summer than in Winter Glance 

at the Days in Venus — Their singular variety and ra- 
pid change — Has Venus a Moon ? — Opinions of Astro- 
nomers on the subject differ — Weight of Evidence in 
favour of the negative. 

Instruments wsed.- The Horizontal Tellurian; the Large Globes 
the Climate Instrument. Diagrams : Telescopic appearances of 
the Planets; Cause of greater Heat in Summer than in Winter. 



LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY. 

LECTURE IV. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Useful Astronomical Know- 
lodge may be acquired without confinement in the Parlour or the 
Study. 

Outline of the Lecture. Extended view of Time 
— Great difficulties in rendering the different periods 
simple and correct — Days, (Sidereal, Solar, Astronomi- 
cal, Civil,) — Weeks — Months — Years, very various, 
Different reformations of the Calendar.- — Time, mean 
and equated — two causes of this remarkable variation 
in Time — 1. Eccentricity of the Earth's Orbit— &. Di- 
rection of the Sun's path in respect to the Earth's 
Axis— Proofs of the Eccentricity of the Earth's 

Orbit Twilight on our Planet — Its cause and 

extent— Different in different Latitudes England 

and the United States The Starry Heavens 

—Division of the concave vault of Heaven into 
three Regions— Classification of the Stars into Constel- 
lations—Several Stars still unformed Origin of the 

Zodiac on the supposition that the Constellation which 
conies to the Western Horizon at day break is a fit 
emblem of some event in the year — Remarks on this 

Hypothesis Constellations in each Region 

The portion of the Starry Concave visible in our Lati- 
tude Practical division of the Starry Vault into 

three Regions — Directions for finding the North Polar 
Star — The line of the Zodiac — All the Constellations 

visible Precession of the Equinoxes — Cause of 

this Phenomenon — Its important effects on the posi- 
tions of the fixed Stars, and in its changing the place 
of the Polar Star. 

Instruments used: The Planisphere tvith the Constellations; 
the Large Globe. Diagrams : Earth's Orbit in Duodetants; Cause 
of Twilight. 



A COURSE OF 

LECTURE V. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Astronomical Knowledge casts 
light on passages and events in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. 

Outline of the Lecture. The Moon — Her regu- 
lar Motions — Distance from the Earth — Enlightened by 
the Sun — Her various Phases — Keeps always nearly 
the same side to the Earth— Proof— Telescopic views of 
the Moon — Her Spots, Mountains, and Valleys — Their 

size and height Path, at the Summer Solstice, of 

the Moon in the Conjunction — In the Opposition — and 
at each Quadrature:— The same at the Winter Solstice : 

—The same at both Equinoxes Irregular motions 

of the Moon — Their important effects — Her Libration 
in Longitude and Latitude — Her unequal Motion in 
Longitude — Lunations unequal, and quarters of Luna- 
tions unequal — Time of Moon's appearance each even- 
ing irregular — Harvest Moon — Different years more 
or less favourable to the Harvest Moon — Cause of these 
Phenomena — Waning Limb of the old, and waxing 
Crescent of the new Moon seen on the same day — 
Causes combining to effect this very rare occurrence—* 
Striking retardation of the new Moon's appearance af- 
ter the great Solar Eclipse of 7th of Sept, 1820, contrast- 
ed with its rapid approach after the Eclipse of March 

14th in the same year — Cause of this difference 

Is the Moon inhabited ? — Various opinions of Astrono- 
mers on this subject— The weight of rational evidence 
seems in favour of the affirmative of the question — 
Appearance of our Earth to the Lunarians. 

Instruments used: the Horizontal Tellurian and Lunarian; the 
Planisphere ivith the Constellations; the Large Globe. Diagrams '<■ 
Various Maps of the Moon; different Phases of the Moon; Moon's 
Orbit in Octants; Moon s Path during a Lunar Cycle; Moon's 
Path as seen from the Sun, -.. , 



LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY. 



LECTURE VI. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Astronomical Knowledge calcu* 
lated to aid our researches into antiquity. 

Outline of the lecture. Eclipses — Theory of 
Eclipses — Total Eclipses of the Sun — Annular Eclips- 
es — Partial Eclipses — The same Eclipses of the Moon 

— Digits Eclipsed — Umbra and Penumbra The 

Tides of the Ocean — Their various Phenomena explain- 
ed on the Newtonian Theory — On the new Theory of 
Captain Foreman — Remarks on the different theories 
of the Tides. 

Instruments used: the Horizontal Eclipsareon; the large Globe; 
the Grand Orrery. Diagrams: Cause of Eclipses; Digits 
eclipsed; Umbra and Penumbra; Tides in Rivers; Cause of the 
Tides, 



LECTURE VII. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Useful Astronomical Know- 
ledge may be obtained at a cheap rate, ("exemplified by appropriate 
devices. J 

Outline of the Lecture. Comets — Their general 
Theory — Great Comet of 1680 — Speculations of the 

learned respecting the nature of Comets Theory 

of the Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites Motions of 

the Satellites of the superior Planets around their 

respective Primaries Parallelism of Saturn's 

Ring Parallax Methods of finding the 

Latitude and Longitude of places Heliocentric 

and Geocentric Longitude of Planets ...... Direct and 

retrograde Motion Elongation Conjunc- 
tions Transits of inferior Planets — Vast impor- 
tance of the transits of Venus Obliquity of #ie 



S LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY. 

Ecliptic varying and diminishing — Cause of this Phe- 
nomenon. 

Instruments used: Apparatus for showing the Eclipses of Ju- 
piter's Satellites and the Parallelism of Saturn's Ring; the large 
Globe; the Vertical Tellurian -with the Planet Venus, Diagrams: 
Comets of 1680 and 1811; Minute scheme of Jupiter's, Saturn' % 
and Uranus' s Satellites; different appearances of Saturn's Ring; 
method of measuring from each Planet the elongation of any other 
Planet, 



LECTURE VIH. 

INTRODUCTORY REM \ RKS. The study of Astronomy calcu- 
lated to strengthen and expand the mind of Man, 

Outline of the lecture. Advance of the Perihe- 
lion point of the Earth's Orbit Nutation of the 

Earth's axis — Cause of this Phenomenon The 

Starry Heavens — Picture of the visible Heavens rec- 
tified to any given time and place- — Nightly apparent 
motion of the Heavens depicted — Motions of the pla- 
nets which are visible to the naked eye — How to find in 
the open air, the time and place of their rising, culmi* 
nating, or setting — The same in respect to any fixed 
Star — Motion of the Pole Star during the great Side- 
real or Platonic Year of 25,920 years, depicted on the 

Planisphere The construction of the Universe 

—Its supposed extent— Vast discoveries of Dr. Herschei 
— Nebulse— Planetary Nebulse— Double Stars— Change- 
able Stars — Milky Way — Number of Stars — Size of the 
Stars— Supposed distance of the fixed Stars — Each Star 
the centre of a System — Combination of Solar Systems 
into one Universal System Conclusion. 

Instruments used: The large Globe; the Planisphere -without 
the Constellations; the Universal System. Diagrams: the Earth's 
Orbit in duodecants; the Constellation Orion* 



library of congress 

iiihi 

Mil I IN. 



003 538 551 4 



